The Sarasota Ballet Receives Extraordinary Gift from Jean Weidner Goldstein

March 12, 2021 – Sarasota

Legacy has always been at the forefront of The Sarasota Ballet’s mission, from its revered revivals of extraordinary ballets to the care in which the Company takes to look after the icons of ballet history. It is therefore a particular honor to for the Company to announce that Jean Weidner Goldstein, Founder of The Sarasota Ballet, has made an extraordinary planned gift of one million dollars to the Company through The Martucci Legacy Society.

“Jean has dedicated so much to this organization,” explains Iain Webb, Director of The Sarasota Ballet. “This amazing gift will give us another way to protect and cherish not only her beloved Company, but also her legacy in the future. Her vision not only started the Ballet, but will also look after its success in the years to come.”

Through her gift Jean will be able to impact the Company’s international reputation for its artistry and rich repertoire, as well as help the Company continue to foster the youth of today through programs like the Margaret Barbieri Conservatory for pre-professional classical dancers or the high school drop-out prevention program Dance – The Next Generation, which provides over 150 students a year with free education enrichment and dance tutelage.

Joseph Volpe, Executive Director of The Sarasota Ballet adds, “Throughout my years in performing arts, I have seen firsthand how vital Legacy gifts can be, and not only how powerfully they can impact a Company’s future, but also how entwined that person’s legacy becomes with the breathtaking artistry produced. On behalf of everyone at The Sarasota Ballet, I want to express how grateful we are to both Jean for this stunning gift, and to Frank and Katherine Martucci for the leadership and philanthropy that they have given us through founding our Legacy Society.”